Self-cleaning pipe



Aug- 20, 1968 R. s. ARMSTRONG SELF-CLEANING PIPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1966 INVENTOR. Hbf/ 5. Arm-s fr0/7g BY f num.. l k nl...

United States Patent O 3,397,702 SELF-CLEANING PIPE Robert S. Armstrong, 2535 River Road, Wall Township, Monmouth County, NJ. 08736 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 553,968 16 Claims. (Cl. 131-183) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a self-cleaning pipe consisting of a bowl having two interlocking parts with a removable ejector assembly housed in the lower part. The ejector is freely mounted within a cylinder to prevent sticking and to ream the sides of the -upper part when emptying same. The lower part and cylinder are prefera- Ibly molded of tasteless nylon which may be combined with an upper part of tasteful briar. The stem is provided with1 a lower though to prevent saliva from entering the This invention relates to smoking pipes. In particular it relates to self-cleaning pipes which are also self-reaming and self-emptying.

One of the disadvantages of conventional pipes is the absorption of tobacco juices and saliva in the heel of a wooden bowl. This necessitates a frequent change of pipes to allow the bowl to thoroughly dry out before reusing.

Another disadvantage of pipe smoking is the difiiculty of cleaning the tobacco ash which tends -to pack at the bottom portion of the bowl. Knocking the top of the bowl on a rigid surface does not satisfactorily dislodge it, and it is not always convenient to empty a pipe at the end of each smoke, especially when indoors. A pipe is therefore generally left at a location which is remote when its user is ready for the next smoke. This inability to carry a partially filled pipe on ones person and the inconvenience of having to Irelocate and retrieve it is both irritating and time and energy consuming.

An object of the invention is to devise a pipe the contents of which can be readily self-removed without the use of a separate reamer, so that the pipe can be safely placed in ones pocket.

Another object is to construct a pipe which will prevent tobacco and/or saliva from entering and packing in the heel.

A further object is to devise a cooling chamber for the smoke, the parts of which can be readily disassembled, cleaned and/or replaced. Yet a further object is to construct a simplified self-cleaning pipe and a filter therefor, of materials which will afford economic manufacture and ease of cleaning.

And a further object is to provide an improved stem which will prevent saliva being sucked back through the mouthpiece.

A principal feature of the invention is an improved piston assembly which will eject the contents of the bowl when pressed upwardly from the bottom thereof, or when Ithe bowl is depressed downwardly, thus raising the plunger substantially flush with the top of the bowl to easily brush off any ash residue.

Another feature is a cooling chamber through which the smoke passes on its way from the fire chamber to the stem to provide a cool smoke.

A further feature is the close interfitting of the ejector assembly and/or filter parts which eliminate a conventional heel in the pipe and positively prevent any tobacco, gurgling tobacco juices, ash, tar or nicotine from entering therein.

A still further feature is a pipe the body parts of which are made of a tasteless, non-absorbent, resilient plastic ICC such as nylon. These parts eliminate costly threaded and/ .or O-ring connections and the necessity of having a large Inventory of absorbent briar pipes conventionally used at long spaced intervals after extended drying out periods.

Other features include an expendable, easily cleaned porous ceramic filter, a two-piece body construction with a separable bowl affording an advantageous combination of a nylon heel and briar bowl.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detail description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofone embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, partly in section, of the variaus elements forming the pipe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view of the assembled self-cleaning pipe with the ejector assembly in normal position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ejector assembly in partially raised position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the inner cylinder with four entrances or ports to the grooved passageway of a cooling chamber;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a plunger with coaxial smoke holes extending therethrough;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a modified pipe including a modified stem and mouthpiece;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a second modified pipe and ejector assembly;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a third modified pipe and ejector therefor;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation shown in section of the porous ceramic filter illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. l1 is a perspective view of a modification of the ceramic filter shown in FIG. l0;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional elevation of a combination platform and post therefor; and

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of said platform.

Referring now to the drawings, the pipe generally `lesignated 10 has a vertically disposed substantially cylindrical bowl portion 11, the inner walls of which define an upper tobacco receiving member or fire chamber 12 and a lower enlarged bore or depending cylindrical skirt portion 13. The lower portion of the bowl overlaps the upper walls 14 of an outer cylinder or lower cylindrical chamber portion 15 and may be held firmly in assembled position by an O-ring 16 mounted in a circumferential groove 17.

Outer cylinder 15 is provided with an external horizontal shoulder or circular fiange 18 upon which the lower rim 19 of the bowl 11 is seated. When these two parts are assembled, the rim 20 of cylinder 15 may abut an internal horizontal shoulder 2.1 formed by the recessed walls of the lower bowl portion 13.

A hollow inner cylinder 22 may have its outer surface cut to form a helical groove 23 running from top to bottom between ridges 24. When assembled as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, ridges 24 abut the inner surface of outer cylinder 15 to define a spiral cooling chamber in which the smoke curls downwardly through grooves 23. As shown in FIG. 5, ports 25 provide multiple entrances for the smoke into the grooved chamber.

Cylinder 22 has a narrow top collar portion 26 through which the externally threaded stem 27 of a plunger 28 passes. When the plunger is in its normal position its under surface and the top of cylinder 22 define Van annular cooling chamber 30. Mutually spaced apertures 29 may extend through the top of the plunger to allow smoke to pass from the fire chamber through filters 30' which substantially fill said cooling chamber. The plunger which forms the bottom of the fire chamber may be made of any non-burning material such as ceramic clay, lava, etc., which can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000o F. The filters may be made of paper, ceramic and like porous materials.

A piston 31 having a hollow rod or shaft 32 with an internally threaded free end 33 is proportioned to fit the open lower end 34 of cylinder 22. A coiled spring 35 fits over rod 32, with one end bearing against the inner surface of the piston and the other end against the closed upper end portion of cylinder 22. Piston 31 is shown grooved to retain an O-ring 16a around its periphery for a firm, sealed fit against the inner surface of cylinder 22. The flanged base 36 of the inner cylinder is also grooved to position an O-ring 16b therein for a sealing fit within the lower recessed portion 37 of outer cylinder 15.

To assemble, piston rod 32 4is pushed up through spring 35 into opening 34 of cylinder 22. Filters 30 are positioned around collar 26 in chamber 30 and then plunger 28 is pressed down through the collar so that its threaded stem 27 can be screwed into threads 33 of the piston rod, see FIG. 4. The plunger assembly is then inserted within outer cylinder before pressing bowl 11 down over the outer cylinder until rim 19 abuts flange 18. Plunger 28 may be provided with a screwdriver slot such as shown at 65, 65 in FIGS. 9 and l2 for remote detachable connection with rod 32.

The bit or mouthpiece 3S has a centered bushing 39 provided with an O-ring 16a` which fits into the free end of stern 40. A hollow pin 41 running through bushing bore 42 is raised thereby above the bottom of stem bore 43 and any saliva which may have settled therein. For additional protection against the outward drawing of saliva, pin 41 is provided with a T-shaped bore, consisting of coaxial bore 44 and a transverse hole 45, which connects with stern bore 43.

The modified pipe shown in FIG. 7 has a bowl 11a, the fire chamber 12a which tapers inwardly toward `a plunger 28a. The upper portion of an inner cylinder 22a is shown externally threaded as at 24a to form a spiral cooling chamber 23a when assembled within outer cylinder 15a. In this embodiment, rim 19a of the bowl seats on flange 18a of cylinder 15a, but rim 20a is spaced from shoulder 21a to provide an enlarged annular cooling chamber 30a. A washer-type ceramic ring 49 is seated within radial chamber 30a through which the smoke is filtered before it enters chamber 23a via ports 25a. This chamber cools the smoke as it travels down and around the inner cyinder from the fire chamber to an upper bore 43a leading to a wide bore 46 at the free end of a divided stern 40a. Below and separated from the stern bore 43a is an elongated pocket or bed 47 to catch any saliva which may have entered through mouthpiece or bit 38a. The mouthpiece has a 45 tapered end 48 as a further preventive measure against saliva being drawn upwardly into an inner passage 50, and an O-ring .16d for secure fitting within stem 40a.

The construction of plunger 28a connected to piston 31a by means of rod 32a and the interior of inner cylinder 22a may be simila to that shown in FIGS. 2-4 of corresponding parts, including plunger 28, piston 31 and connecting shaft 32 acting against the downward pressure of a spring 35.

In lieu of internally threading the lower bore of the bowl 11a to screw over the outer portion of wall 14a of cylinder body 15a, an O-ring 16e seals the assembly of these parts. Another O-ring 161 carried by the lower part of cylinder 22a seals its fitting engagement with the inner surface of cylinder 15a.

Stem 40a can be molded as an integral part of the body portion with outer cylinder 15a, as shown in FIG. 7, or it may be detachably secured thereto by any conventional means such as a friction fit, an O-ring, screwthreads, etc.

The outer and inner cylinders, piston 31a, rod 32a, stem 40a and bit 38a can all be made of white or black nylon which are not injurious to health. Nylon is tasteless and cannot absorb moisture, is easily cleaned by brushing with soap and water, and substantially maintains the identicalavor and taste of the tobacco from the first smoke to the last.

Plastics such `as white nylon, the outer surfaces of which can be suitably colored, are resilient enough to make a tight frictional seal without O-rings or screw threads, even when joined to a briar bowl. Of these two joining means, O-rings are preferable to seal the separable parts of all-wood pipes, since they are less costly than threading the parts for screwed fittings.

The pipe illustrated in FIG. 8 is a more simplified and economical construction while retaining the essential advantages of the hereinbefore described embodiments. The bowl .11b is preferably made of hard wood such as briar for maximum fiavor. The body portion 51 comprises an integral outer cylinder portion 15b with shorter upper walls 14b, inner cylinder portion 22b, and divided stem portion 40b with its smaller smoke passage 43b and larger saliva bed 47' of molded nylon or other suitable material.

The tapered inner walls of bowl 11b defining a lire chamber 12b, converge toward plunger 28b. As in the FIG. 7 embodiment, rim 20b is spaced from shoulder 2lb, above the top of inner cylinder portion 22b, to form an annular air chamber 52 which leads to an axial cooling chamber 53 between the outer yand inner cylinder portions and finally to stern bore 43b.

A disposable porous ceramic filter 54, see FIGS. 10 and 11, has a flanged collar portion 54a for seating er1- gagement with rim 20a, and a depending sleeve portion 541; which extends into axial cooling chamber 53. If desired, the inner surface of the modified sleeve 54 can be provided with box threads which form a spiral cooling chamber 54C to which four entrances 2511 are provided, as shown in FIG. 1l.

Pipe 51 is fitted with a solid, non-burning plunger 28b, the Unthreaded stern 32b of which abuts the inner surface of pist-on 31b. The piston is provided with an inner sleeve 55 and a center hole or bore 56. The stem 32h has a lower free end portion 32b having a diameter which is less than that of the remainder of the stem and which is so sized as to fit within the sleeve 5S with a friction fit and so that the free end portion thereof abuts the upper surface of the piston 3112. A pin or nail, etc., is pushed through hole 56 against the end of stem 27 to dislodge and remove the plunger for cleaning and/ or replacing. The porous filter 54 can be easily lifted out for cleaning or replacing when the bowl is pulled away from the body portion 51 against the resistance of O-ring 16g.

The modified embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is constructed to effect the same self-cleaning action by reversing the operation of its constituent parts. Instead of raising a plunger up through the bowl as in FIGS. 1-8, a grooved bowl is depressed downwardly over the body portion substantially to the level of its platform to dislodge the tobacco contents in a similar manner from the base of its fire chamber.

This pipe also preferably has a molded nylon body 58, including an integral stem portion 401', with a threaded bore S9 through the center of the heel portion. The circular wall of bowl 60 is provided with an internal groove, which when assembled over body wall 14e as shown, forms an axial cooling chamber 61. An O-ring 16h mounted around the outer periphery of wall 14C engages the outer groove surface to seal chamber 61 from the atmosphere. Both surfaces of wall 14a are parallel for telescoping insertion within grooved chamber 61 during self-clean ing operations. The inner bowl wall 60 of fire chamber 12e depends below its outer counterpart and terminates in a circular ange 62.

The piston rod and plunger of the above described embodiments are herein replaced by either of two modifications. The lirst, an integral ceramic or other nonliammable raised platform member 63 has a head 64 and a smooth elevating post 66 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The post terminates in an externally threaded portion 67 for screwing within bore 59. The head 64 is provided with a screwdriver slot 65 and the end 67 with a slot 65a for engaging and disengaging the platform member 63 from threads 59 from either end.

The second, a two piece embodiment 63' illustrated in FIG. 12, has a platform 64 with an externally threaded stem 27 which screws into the upper internally threaded end of a hollow rod or shaft 32. The lower end of the rod terminates in an externally threaded lend portion 67. A screwdriver slot '65 is provided in head 64' and another slot 65b is disposed in end 67 for ease of assembling the ejector from either end.

The lower surface 68, 68' of platform 64, 64' is notched, see FIGS. 9, 12 and 13, to form a series of ports 69, 69 through which the smoke enters chamber 70 via a circular passage 73 between the bore of flange 62 and post 66, 66 when surface 68, 68' abuts ilange 62. A cone spring 71 seated against the bottom of chamber 70 and centered around post 66, retains bowl 60 in its normally raised position to engage surface y68. The bowl is pushed downwardly against the action of the spring in order to eject ashes and unused tobacco from fire chamber 12C. A slight clearance 72 between the internal groove and body wall 14c allows some smoke from chamber 70 to rise into the upper portion of chamber 61 before being drawn downwardly into the stem portion 40.

It will be noted from the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 8 that the ejector is freely mounted within cylinder 22, 22a, 22b and that enough clearance is allowed between shaft 32, 32a, 32b and central aperture 26, 26a, 26b to allow the plunger to be pressed off-center in order to vary the angle at which piston 28, 28a, 28b may be directed against the walls ofthe lire chamber 12, 12a, 12b. This non-rigid floating construction prevents sticking of the plunger which might otherwise occur if it was rigidly held to dead center. The floating ceramic plunger is thus enabled to shave excess buildup or cake from the walls of chamber 12 to a desired minimum thickness.

Although the walls of the usual smoking pipe are cylindrical, it will be understood that the substance of the disclosures herein would als-o apply to bowls of diverse shapes, such as square, etc.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, e'mbodiments and applications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims, will of c-ourse suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, such as perhaps, substituting one or more of the essential features of the herein disclosed pipes for one or more parts of conventional pipes.

I claim:

1. A tobacco pipe comprising a vertically disposed bowl having a stem and a mouthpiece extending laterally from the lower portion thereof, said bowl including -a lower cylindrical chamber portion having means communicating with said stem and said mouthpiece, said chamber portion being defined by a cylindrical wall formed to have open upper and lower ends, the upper portion of the external surface of said cylindrical wall having a smaller diameter than the lower portion thereof and forming an external horizontal shoulder therebetween, said bowl including an upper tobacco receiving member having a generally cylindrical form, open upper and lower ends and an internal horizontal shoulder intermediate the ends thereof providing a depending cylindrical skirt portion adapted to fit over said upper reduced diameter portion of said chamber portion, the length of said skirt approximating the vertical extent of said reduced diameter portion, and an ejector assembly adapted to fit into said chamber portion, said assembly'including a`hollow cylinder having an open lower end and a closed upper end portion, said upper end portion having a central aperture therethrough, said assembly also including a plunger and piston on opposite ends of a shaft passing through said central aperture whereby said plunger may be positioned above and adjacent to the upper end of said cylinder and said piston for-ming a closure for the lower end of said cylinder, said piston having a lower face adapted to be substantially flush with the lower end portions of said cylinder and the cylindrical wall defining said chamber, and resilient means surrounding said shaft in said hollow cylinder biasing said plunger downwardly, whereby said plunger may be raised by upward pressure on the lower face of said piston to eject ashes through the open upper end of said tobacco receiving member.

2. A tobacco pipe according to claim 1, including sealing means disposed between said central aperture and said plunger to prevent tobacco and related by-products from entering into said cylinder.

3. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein at least said chamber portion `and said cylinder are molded nylon.

4. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein the outer vertical surface -of said cylinder is provided with at least one helical grooved surface thereon, at least one port disposed on the periphery of said closed upper end portion leading to said grooved surface, said grooved surface forming a helical cooling chamber for smoke in its passage to said stem when said cylinder is mounted within said chamber.

5. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein a li-rst O-ring is mounted around the bottom of said cylinder for sealing engagement with said internal wall chamber and a second O-ring is mounted around said pist-on for sealing engagement with said cylinder.

6. A pipe according to claim 2, wherein a collar disposed around said central aperture forms said sealing means, said closed upper portion and said piston defining an annular cooling chamber therebetween.

7. A pipe according to claim 6, wherein at least one porous horizontal element is disposed in said cooling chamber t-o filter said smoke as it passes from said tobacco receiving member to said annular cooling chamber and said mouthpiece.

8. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of said shaft is internally threaded and said plunger is provided with an externally threaded shank adapted to be screwed into said upper end.

9. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein said piston is provided with a small aperture therethrough and a short inner sleeve, and said plunger is provided with an extended shank, the free end of which lits within said sleeve and abuts the inner surface of said piston.

10. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein at least said cylinder and said chamber portion comprise an integral molded body unit of said pipe.

11. A pipe according to claim 1, wherein said stem and at least said chamber portion comprise a single integrally molded body unit.

12.. A pipe according to claim 6, wherein said cylinder is spaced from said lower chamber portion to form an axial cooling chamber therebetween, said axial cooling chamber communicating between said annular cooling chamber and said stem.

13. A pipe according to claim 7, wherein said porous elements comprise at least one ceramic ring.

14. A pipe according to claim 13, wherein said ceramic ring is provided with a depending sleeve portion, said sleeve portion projecting downwardly into said axial cooling chamber.

15. A pipe according to claim 13, wherein said cylinder projects above said chamber portion, and said ceramic ring is supported by said upper reduced diameter portion.

7 8 16. A pipe according to claim 13, wherein said ceramic 2,649,762 8/ 1953 Di Federico et al 131-183 ring is provided with at least one helical groove on its in- 3,106,922 10/ 1963 Hefti 131-182 X ner surface forming a helical cooling chamber when said 3,241,559 3/ 1966 Walters 131--183 ring is mounted within said axial cooling chamber. 3,292,638 12/ 1966 Lorquet 131-183 l" References Cited a FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 6931,33 g; ntdg t 1,065,372 6/1913 Kieser 131-183 X e I? afm' 123,508 2/ 1919 Great Britam. 1,545,147 7/1925 Levin 131--211 X 593,312 10/ 1947 Great Brltaln. 1,742,944 l/1930 West 131-211 X 1.0

644,148 10/ 1950 Great Britain. 1,847,393 3/1932 Gallagher 131-183 135 502 4/1952 S d 1,935,052 11/1933 Hayden 131-209X We en- 2,363,144 11/1944 Ricketts 131--211 2,476,080 7/1949 Brown 131 212 SAMUEL KOREN, Prmwry Exammer- 2,607,354 s/1952 Wilson 131-182 15 JOSEPH D. REICH, Assistant Examiner. 

